Determining the relationship between breast cancer fear in women and levels of cyberchondria

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between breast cancer fear and the level of cyberchondria in women. METHODS: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 379 women aged 18 years and older. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Cyberchondria Severity Scale-Short Form, and the Breast Cancer Fear Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26.0. RESULTS: The participants' mean total score on the Cyberchondria Severity Scale-Short Form was 33.73±10.72 (moderate level), while the mean total score on the Breast Cancer Fear Scale was 24.37±9.11 (high level). Significant associations were found between the Cyberchondria Severity Scale-Short Form total score and participants' educational status, menopausal status, and practice of breast self-examination, as well as between the Breast Cancer Fear Scale total score and history of clinical breast examination (p<0.05). A positive significant correlation was observed between the Cyberchondria Severity Scale-Short Form total score and the Breast Cancer Fear Scale total score (r=0.464; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Nurses should promote health literacy and guide individuals toward reliable sources, employing an interdisciplinary approach to manage patient fears. By increasing awareness of regular screenings and breast self-examinations, nurses play a key role in mitigating anxiety and fear among high-risk women.